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EP1052941B1 - Catheter ultrasonore a alignement annulaire - Google Patents

Catheter ultrasonore a alignement annulaire Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1052941B1
EP1052941B1 EP99905123A EP99905123A EP1052941B1 EP 1052941 B1 EP1052941 B1 EP 1052941B1 EP 99905123 A EP99905123 A EP 99905123A EP 99905123 A EP99905123 A EP 99905123A EP 1052941 B1 EP1052941 B1 EP 1052941B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
annular array
transducer elements
catheter system
face
transmission line
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP99905123A
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German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP1052941A1 (fr
Inventor
Veijo T. Suorsa
Niyazi Beyhan
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Boston Scientific Ltd Barbados
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Boston Scientific Ltd Barbados
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Filing date
Publication date
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Publication of EP1052941A1 publication Critical patent/EP1052941A1/fr
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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/44—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device
    • A61B8/4483—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer
    • A61B8/4488—Constructional features of the ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic diagnostic device characterised by features of the ultrasound transducer the transducer being a phased array
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61B—DIAGNOSIS; SURGERY; IDENTIFICATION
    • A61B8/00—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves
    • A61B8/12—Diagnosis using ultrasonic, sonic or infrasonic waves in body cavities or body tracts, e.g. by using catheters

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to the field of medical catheters, and in particular, to ultrasonic imaging medical catheters.
  • Ultrasonic systems are used in a plethora of medical fields and in a wide-ranging number of diagnostic areas. As the desire to use ultrasonic imaging systems has grown, so has the level of sophistication of those systems.
  • ultrasonic imaging systems To assist physicians and staff in performing diagnostic and therapeutic procedures, a number of ultrasonic imaging systems have been designed for use with catheters.
  • these systems comprise a single transducer element, frequently made of piezoelectric material, attached to the distal portion of an imaging catheter.
  • the imaging catheter is inserted into the patient and the transducer is positioned within the patient to image a desired region of the patient's anatomy.
  • Such catheters typically operate by sending an electrical signal or excitation pulse to the transducer.
  • the transducer converts the electrical energy into mechanical energy, which propagates into a patient's surrounding body tissues as an ultrasonic wave.
  • the frequency of the emitted ultrasonic waves are a function of the resonant frequency of the transducer element and the frequency content of the excitation pulse.
  • the ultrasonic waves are reflected back to the transducer as reflected signals or echoes, which the transducer converts into an electrical signal. This electrical signal is used to produce an image of the patient's anatomy.
  • the images produced are limited to a single two-dimensional plane. As a result, the transducer must be moved within the patient to produce images over a larger area. Additionally, since the single transducer element has only one resonant frequency, the focusing capability of single transducer imaging catheters is limited. The frequency of emitted sound waves, which is a function of the resonant frequency and bandwidth of the transducer element and the frequency content of the excitation pulse, can only be varied by varying the excitation pulse frequency. As a result, the ability of a single transducer element to be focused at different depths into the surrounding tissue is limited.
  • US-A-5,273,045 describes a cathether-type ultrasonic probe comprising an array of piezoelectric elements.
  • the present invention provides a catheter system as claimed in claim 1.
  • the cable may comprise a drive cable.
  • a drive cable is used to rotate the transducer elements, thereby facilitating the production of images of the patient's tissues surrounding the transducer elements.
  • the transmission line may comprise a coaxial cable.
  • the transmission line may comprise a twisted pair. cable. In this manner, electrical signals can be sent to, and received from, the transducer elements.
  • the annular array may comprise at least two generally concentric transducer elements
  • the annular array may define a face which is circular in shape.
  • the face may be flat.
  • the face may have a spherical, or other curvature.
  • An annular array with a spherical curvature results in the focal point being closer to the face than if the face were flat.
  • the annular array may define a face which is elliptical or oval in shape.
  • the elliptical face may be flat, or have a spherical or elliptical curvature.
  • the catheter system further comprises a plurality of filters in communication with the transmission line to filter a plurality of communication signals transmitted through the transmission line.
  • Each filter allows a different frequency range of the communication signals to pass through the filter. In this way, a single transmission line is used with a plurality of transducer elements, thereby facilitating the use of catheter bodies with small outer diameters.
  • the catheter body may have an outer diameter that is smaller than about 20 French (6.67mm) to facilitate introduction into a body lumen.
  • the catheter body may have an outer diameter that is between about 1 French (0.33mm) and 20 French (6.67mm).
  • the present invention provides for catheter systems and methods of their use. Specifically, the present invention provides an annular array of transducer elements for use in an imaging catheter system.
  • Annular arrays according to the present invention contain a plurality of generally concentric transducer elements located around a central axis. Such arrays can be used with focusing techniques commonly known as “dynamic focusing” or “zone focusing”.
  • Dynamic focusing may be used when the transducer elements are simultaneously excited by an electrical energy pulse.
  • the transducer elements (which may be constructed from piezoelectric ceramic materials, piezocomposite materials, piezoelectric plastics, and the like) convert the electrical energy pulse into mechanical energy, which propagates out from the face of the transducer in the form of an ultrasonic wave.
  • the frequency of this ultrasonic wave is dependent upon the excitation frequency and the transducer element's natural resonant frequency and its bandwidth.
  • the ultrasonic waves When the ultrasonic waves impinge on an object, such as a change in material within a body lumen, the ultrasonic waves are reflected back to the transducers, which then convert the mechanical energy back into an electrical signal.
  • the electrical signal from each transducer is transmitted from the distal end of the catheter to the catheter system's imaging equipment by a transmission line.
  • the reflected signal is received at different times by the individual transducer elements.
  • the reflected wave is received by the central element before the reflected wave is received by an element along the outer ring of the annular array.
  • the present invention may use a compensation circuit contained in a controller to adjust the reflected signals to take into account the time delays resulting from the different distances the waves travel. Commonly referred to as “dynamic focusing", this method of compensation allows for improved resolution, particularly close to the transducer face.
  • Zone focusing occurs when transmitted signals to the center array elements are delayed relative to the outer elements.
  • a wavefront of ultrasonic energy propagates into the surrounding tissue and converges into a first focal zone within the tissue due to the time delay of transmissions between the inner and outer transducer elements.
  • the reflected signals which propagate back from this zone to the transducer elements are processed by using the same time delay sequences and are summed, thereby producing a focused image from the first zone.
  • the transmission time delays are then adjusted to produce a wavefront from the array elements that converges into a second focal zone within the tissue, at a greater distance from the array than the first focal zone.
  • the reflected signals are processed in a manner which focuses the receiver within the second focal zone. This approach continues for as many zones as needed to produce an image of sufficient depth into the surrounding tissue. As a result, the zone focusing technique, although slower than dynamic focusing, produces better lateral resolution and good sensitivity.
  • the catheter is capable of producing high quality ultrasound images with improved lateral resolution compared to single transducer catheters.
  • the annular array of transducer elements of the invention are capable of producing multiple ultrasonic signals and then focusing the ultrasonic waves at different depths into the surrounding tissues.
  • the transmission of multiple ultrasonic signals to image processing equipment can be accomplished, for example, by using the rotary transformer disclosed in copending U.S. Patent 6,017,312 .
  • Annular array 10 comprises two transducer elements, a central transducer element 12 surrounded by a second transducer element 14.
  • Transducer elements 12, 14 are generally concentric and are preferably made of piezocomposite materials; however, they may also comprise piezoceramic materials (such as PZT), piezoplastics, and the like.
  • a spacer or kerf 16 is required between the elements. Kerf 16 comprises a nonconductive material, such as air or epoxy and the like, in order to lessen the chance that electrical or acoustic signals will be transferred between transducer elements 12, 14.
  • Other transducer element materials, such as composites, will not require kerf 16 and, as a result, transducer element 12 and transducer element 14 can be placed adjacent one another.
  • Fig. 2A depicts a cross section of a four element annular array 20. Similar to the embodiment of Fig. 1, annular array 20 comprises a series of generally concentric transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28. Depending on the transducer material used, a number of kerfs 30, 32, 34 may be required between the transducer elements (cross-hatching not shown for convenience of illustration).
  • Fig. 2B depicts a cross section of an alternative embodiment of an annular array according to the present invention. Annular array 200 comprises a series of generally concentric transducer elements 220, 240, 260, 280.
  • a number of kerfs 300, 320, 340 may be required between the transducer elements (cross-hatching not show for convenience of illustration). While Figs. 2A and 2B depict annular arrays comprising four transducer elements, it will be appreciated that the number of transducer elements may be larger or smaller than four.
  • An annular array according to the present invention will preferably use between about two (2) and about fifteen (15) transducer elements, and more preferably, between about two (2) and about seven (7) transducer elements.
  • Fig. 3A depicts a cross-sectional side view of the annular array 20 described in conjunction with Fig. 2A. Specifically, Fig. 3A depicts annular array 20 having a face 36 that is flat. As a result of this flat-faced configuration, electric signals received by transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 are converted into mechanical energy which propagates out from each transducer element 22, 24, 26, 28 as an ultrasonic wave. Ultrasonic waves from each of the four elements converge at a focal point along a central axis 38 of the annular array.
  • Fig. 3B depicts an alternative embodiment of an annular array of transducer elements 40.
  • Annular array 40 comprises transducer elements 42, 44, 46, 48.
  • this embodiment may also require, depending on the transducer materials used, a number of kerfs 50, 52, 54 located between transducer elements 42, 44, 46, 48.
  • the annular array of transducer elements 40 has a face 56 with a spherical curvature. Such a configuration moves the focal point of the annular array 40 closer to the face 56 along central axis 58.
  • Other curvatures of face 56 such as an elliptical curvature, may also be used.
  • the annular array face may be circular in shape (Fig. 2A) or elliptical or oval in shape (Fig. 2B).
  • annular array 20 coupled to a single transmission line 60
  • annular array 20 comprises transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 concentrically configured around a central axis running through the approximate center of the annular array, i.e., through the approximate center of transducer element 22.
  • Transmission line 60 is used to connect the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 to image processing equipment.
  • a number of leads 62 connect the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 to the transmission line 60.
  • a single transmission line running the length of the catheter body and connected to image processing equipment, can be used to carry electric signals to and from all transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 of annular array 20.
  • transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 are each connected to a separate transmission line 64.
  • transmission lines 64 are connected to image processing equipment located outside the catheter body in order to receive and process electrical signals coming from the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28.
  • this configuration may require a catheter body having a larger outer diameter in order to accommodate a plurality of transmission lines 64.
  • Fig. 6 depicts a catheter system 70, which incorporates annular array 10 and comprises a catheter body 72 having a distal end 74 and a proximal end 76.
  • the catheter system 70 further includes a working lumen 78 in which a cable 80 is received.
  • Annular array 10 is operably attached to a distal end of cable 80. In this manner, rotation of cable 80, and hence rotation of the annular array 10, can occur with respect to a generally stationary catheter body 72.
  • the annular array 10 may alternatively be configured with a variety of shapes.
  • the annular array may comprise a plurality of generally circular, concentric transducer elements. Alternatively, a plurality of generally elliptical, concentric transducer elements may be used.
  • Exemplary catheter bodies which may be used with the annular array of transducer elements 10 include those disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 4,794,931 , U.S. Patent No. 5,203,338 , and U.S. Patent No. 5,620,417 .
  • Cables and transmission lines which may be used with the present invention include those disclosed in copending U.S. Patent 6,344,037 , and in U.S. Patent No. 5,503,155 and U.S. Patent No. 5,108,411 .
  • Figs. 7A and 7B depict two alternative arrangements of an annular array operably attached to the distal end of cable 80.
  • Fig. 7A depicts an annular array of transducer elements 100 capable of transmitting ultrasonic waves into a patient's surrounding tissue as cable 80 is rotated.
  • the annular array face 102 faces out into the surrounding tissue of the patient's anatomy.
  • Fig. 7B likewise is configured to emit ultrasonic waves into the surrounding tissue.
  • Fig. 7B has an annular array of transducer elements 110 that is axially aligned with cable 80.
  • Such a configuration requires the reflection of ultrasonic sound waves by a mirror 112 angled at approximately 45 degrees, in order to project ultrasonic sound waves into the surrounding tissue.
  • reflected signals from the tissue reflect off of mirror 112 and are received by the annular array of transducer elements 110.
  • Fig. 8 depicts the annular array 20 as previously discussed in conjunction with Fig. 4, connected to a filter/controller 120. Because this embodiment uses a single transmission line 60 to transmit electrical signals to and from a plurality of transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28, a system for controlling and processing the electrical signals is provided.
  • the filter/controller 120 is used to control signals sent to and received from the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 as described in greater detail hereinafter.
  • the frequency at which the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 emit ultrasonic waves is a function of a resonant frequency of each transducer element 22, 24, 26, 28 and the frequency of the excitation pulse sent to the transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28.
  • the return signals received from those transducer elements will vary in frequency.
  • Fig. 9 depicts a frequency and amplitude plot of an excitation pulse used to excite transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28. The broadbanded nature of such a pulse results in the excitation of each transducer element 22, 24, 26, 28.
  • transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 By configuring transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 to each operate at a different resonant frequency, electrical signals returning from the transducers 22, 24, 26, 28 comprise distinct frequency characteristics depending on the particular transducer element the signal is returning from. As a result, a single transmission line 60 can be used to carry a plurality of signals from transducer elements 22, 24, 26, 28 to the filter/controller 120.
  • the filter/controller 120 uses a plurality of frequency filters, such as high pass, low pass and band pass filters, to filter out undesired frequency ranges and separate the signals.
  • a single transmission line can transmit four signals to the filter/controller 120 which sends the signals to four different filters.
  • Each filter can be "tuned" to the frequency of a particular transducer element, such that each filter allows only a portion of the frequency range corresponding to one transducer element to pass through.
  • the filter/controller 120 can separate out the returning signals.
  • Fig. 10 depicts four filtered signals received from four different transducers 22, 24, 26, 28. The filter/controller 120 then uses one or more signals to produce an image of a body lumen.
  • transducer elements 22 For imaging close to the face 36 of annular array 20, it may be desirable to use only transducer elements near the center of annular array 20. By exciting only the centermost transducer elements, an aperture of the annular array 20 is reduced. For example, in annular array 20 depicted in Fig. 5, only transducer element 22 would be excited. In this manner, only the centermost transducer element 22 is used to produce an image close to the array face 36. Similarly, transducer elements 22, 24 could be excited. In this manner, the two centermost transducer elements 22, 24 of annular array 20 would be used, thereby reducing the aperture of annular array 20.

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Claims (14)

  1. Système de cathéter (70) comprenant :
    un corps de cathéter (72) présentant une extrémité distale (74), une extrémité proximale (76) et un lumen de travail (78) ;
    un câble (80) disposé dans le lumen de travail (78);
    une pluralité d'éléments transducteurs (14, 22, 24, 26, 28, 42, 44, 46, 48, 110, 220, 240, 260, 280) configuré en un alignement annulaire (20, 40, 100, 200), l'alignement annulaire étant fixé de manière fonctionnelle à une extrémité distale du câble (80), et
    une ligne de transmission (60) disposée dans le lumen de travail (78), la ligne de transmission étant reliée de manière fonctionnelle à la pluralité d'éléments transducteurs et
    caractérisé en ce que la pluralité d'éléments transducteurs est configurée de façon à fonctionner à différentes fréquences de résonance pour faciliter la séparation d'une pluralité de signaux de communication reçus de la pluralité d'éléments transducteurs par la ligne de transmission (60) et
    comprenant en outre une pluralité de filtres (120) en communication avec la ligne de transmission (60) pour filtrer la pluralité de signaux de communication transmis par la ligne de transmission (60), chaque filtre permettant des fréquences d'un ordre différent de celui des signaux de communication de traverser le filtre.
  2. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le câble (80) comprend un câble conducteur.
  3. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la ligne de transmission (60) comprend un câble co-axial.
  4. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel la ligne de transmission (60) comprend un câble à paires torsadé.
  5. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'alignement annulaire (20, 200) comprend au moins deux éléments transducteurs concentriques (22, 24, 26, 28, 220, 240, 260, 280).
  6. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps du cathéter (72) présente un diamètre externe qui est inférieur à environ 20 unités Charrière (6,67 mm) pour faciliter l'introduction dans un lumen corporel.
  7. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'alignement annulaire (20, 40) définit une face qui est généralement de forme circulaire.
  8. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la face (36) est plate.
  9. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 7, dans lequel la face (56) présente une courbure sphérique.
  10. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel l'alignement annulaire (200) définit une face qui est généralement de forme elliptique.
  11. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la face est plate.
  12. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la face présente une courbure sphérique.
  13. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 10, dans lequel la face présente une courbure elliptique.
  14. Système de cathéter selon la revendication 1, dans lequel le corps du cathéter (72) présente un diamètre externe qui est entre 1 unité Charrière (0,33 mm) et environ 20 unités Charrière (6,67 mm).
EP99905123A 1998-02-03 1999-02-03 Catheter ultrasonore a alignement annulaire Expired - Lifetime EP1052941B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US17581 1998-02-03
US09/017,581 US6120454A (en) 1998-02-03 1998-02-03 Annular array ultrasound catheter
PCT/IB1999/000377 WO1999039641A1 (fr) 1998-02-03 1999-02-03 Catheter ultrasonore a alignement annulaire

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1052941A1 EP1052941A1 (fr) 2000-11-22
EP1052941B1 true EP1052941B1 (fr) 2007-07-11

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US (1) US6120454A (fr)
EP (1) EP1052941B1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2002502622A (fr)
AU (1) AU2541099A (fr)
CA (1) CA2319615A1 (fr)
DE (1) DE69936507T2 (fr)
WO (1) WO1999039641A1 (fr)

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Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1052941A1 (fr) 2000-11-22
WO1999039641A1 (fr) 1999-08-12
US6120454A (en) 2000-09-19
DE69936507D1 (de) 2007-08-23
CA2319615A1 (fr) 1999-08-12
JP2002502622A (ja) 2002-01-29
AU2541099A (en) 1999-08-23
DE69936507T2 (de) 2008-03-13

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